KTT Purple Click vs. Wuque Studio WS Red
An in-depth look at the KTT Purple Click and the Wuque Studio WS Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the KTT Purple Click and the Wuque Studio WS Red. The Purple Click is known for its satisfying high-pitched click, providing a light yet tactile feel with just the right amount of feedback. On the other hand, the WS Red offers a bouncy and responsive typing experience, thanks to its double-stage spring, while still maintaining a familiar sound signature. With a heavier actuation force, the WS Red adds a touch of weight to each keystroke, delivering a satisfying and substantial typing feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Purple Click and the Wuque Studio WS Red switches differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Purple Click features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, allowing for a more clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the WS Red utilizes a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. The difference in these housing materials leads to distinct auditory experiences when typing on each switch.
Moving onto the bottom housing, both the Purple Click and the WS Red switches share a nylon composition. The properties of nylon result in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on switches. This is primarily due to nylon being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, despite differences in their top housings, both switches offer a similar typing experience with regards to bottom-out sound.
Considering the impact of the top and bottom housings on the switches, the qualities of each housing material are split between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on the switch, the bottom housing has a more significant impact on the resulting sound and feel. Conversely, when releasing a key, the top housing plays a more prominent role in determining the sound produced. This distinction allows for nuanced differences in sound throughout the typing experience, adding to the overall user satisfaction with the switches.
In conclusion, the KTT Purple Click and Wuque Studio WS Red switches differ in their top housing materials, with the former utilizing polycarbonate and the latter employing nylon. This results in distinct sound profiles, with the Purple Click offering a sharper and crisper sound, while the WS Red provides a deeper and fuller sound. However, both switches share a nylon composition for their bottom housings, resulting in similar deep and full bottom-out sounds. The split in housing materials creates a balanced and nuanced typing experience, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing influencing the sound when releasing a key.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Purple Click clicky switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, we observe differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Purple Click has an actuation force of 40 grams, providing a medium-light touch, while the WS Red's actuation force is unknown. This means that we cannot directly compare their actuation forces. However, when considering their bottom out forces, the Purple Click requires 55 grams, which is also medium-light, whereas the WS Red demands a heavier 67 grams, falling under the medium-heavy category.
The weight of a switch is an important factor to consider as it affects the typing experience. Those who value a lighter touch may appreciate the medium-light actuation and bottom out forces of the Purple Click. Its lighter weight allows for longer typing periods, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. Conversely, individuals who prefer a stronger tactile sensation during typing may opt for the WS Red switch. As it has a heavier bottom out force, it provides a more substantial typing experience.
In summary, while the actuation forces cannot be directly compared due to the unavailability of the WS Red's force, it is clear that the Purple Click offers a lighter touch overall. However, for those seeking a more substantial typing experience, the WS Red with its higher bottom out force may be the preferable choice.
Travel distance
The KTT Purple Click clicky switch has a travel distance of 4.0 mm, making it the longer option compared to the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch which has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. The difference between the two distances may seem negligible, but it can have an impact on the overall typing or gaming experience. The Purple Click's 4.0 mm travel distance falls within the range of a traditional travel distance, providing a familiar feel for users who prefer a more traditional keyboard experience. On the other hand, the WS Red's slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm may be preferred by gamers seeking quicker response times. The shorter travel distance allows for faster activation of the key, giving gamers an advantage in competitive gameplay. However, it's important to note that shorter travel distances can sometimes feel abrupt to some users who prefer a deeper press. Therefore, the choice between the Purple Click and WS Red ultimately depends on personal preference, with the shorter travel distance providing quicker response times and the longer travel distance offering a more substantial key press.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Purple Click has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Purple Click for $2.55.
The Wuque Studio WS Red comes in at $3.50 per 10 switches.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
In terms of sound, the Purple Click switch is best known for its fairly high-pitched, satisfying click. It produces a crunchy sound that is commonly associated with clicky switches, similar to the sound of stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. This switch also has a resonant sound profile, providing a higher-pitched auditory experience that is clean and sharp. On the other hand, there is no specific information available about the sound of the WS Red switch. However, it's important to note that the sound produced by a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Purple Click switch offers a light yet tactile typing experience. It strikes a perfect equilibrium between a light keystroke and pronounced tactility, resulting in an invigorating switch that provides moderate to firm actuation force. This switch has a snappy and reactive feel, creating an immersive typing sensation. Furthermore, the Purple Click switch is described as a stepped switch, which means it has two stages of tactile feedback. This gives a more mild tactile sensation compared to hypertactile switches, allowing the user to feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel during each keystroke. The information available about the WS Red switch does not provide any specific characteristics regarding its feel.
Based on the available information, the Purple Click switch stands out for its satisfying click sound and invigorating feel with pronounced feedback. On the other hand, the qualities of the WS Red switch are not explicitly mentioned, so it is unclear how it compares in terms of sound and feel. However, it is important to consider that individual preferences may vary when it comes to mechanical keyboard switches. Therefore, it would be recommended to try out both switches or consult with other users who have experience with the WS Red switch in order to make an informed decision.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are seeking a switch that offers a light and satisfying click with a medium-light bottom out force, the KTT Purple Click clicky switch would be an excellent choice for you. The Purple Click switch provides an equilibrium between light keystrokes and pronounced tactility, creating a pleasant typing experience. Additionally, if you enjoy the sound of stepping on crunchy autumn leaves or prefer a higher-pitched and immersive sound profile, the Purple Click switch will not disappoint. On the other hand, if you prefer a bouncy and responsive typing experience with a touch of weight to each keystroke, the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch would be a suitable option. With a medium-heavy bottom out force and a classic material blend that retains a familiar sound signature, the WS Red switch delivers a satisfying and substantial typing feel. However, it is important to note that the sound and feel descriptions for the WS Red switch were not provided, so further research may be necessary to make an informed decision. Ultimately, the choice between the Purple Click and WS Red switch will depend on your personal preference for clicky switches, desired bottom out force, and typing experience.